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Communication and home-based interventions in Alzheimer’s disease -- a review

COMMUNICATION AND HOME-BASED INTERVENTIONS IN
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE—A REVIEW
by
Randi Schnur Jones
________________________________________________________________
A Thesis Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF ARTS
(PSYCHOLOGY)
August 2009
Copyright 2009 Randi Schnur Jones

Communication is a basic human need, and communication problems are endemic among individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), with specific problems common at each stage of the disease. Because the majority of individuals with AD reside with family caregivers in the community, evidence-based interventions to improve communications between the members of these dyads, whose needs differ from those of individuals living in long-term care facilities with professional caregivers, are essential. This paper discusses typical communication changes and difficulties that arise during the course of AD and their psychosocial ramifications for both caregivers and care recipients. It also reviews nine studies of evidence-based interventions involving community-residing dyads and finds that key attributes required for success are caregiver education, individualization, and practicality.

COMMUNICATION AND HOME-BASED INTERVENTIONS IN
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE—A REVIEW
by
Randi Schnur Jones
________________________________________________________________
A Thesis Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF ARTS
(PSYCHOLOGY)
August 2009
Copyright 2009 Randi Schnur Jones